Movable chair entertainment unit

ABSTRACT

An elevated mobile platform on which are mounted a plurality of devices which support a child or doll, wherein the devices are manipulated to move independently of each other and with motions which differ for each device. The unit also includes a small chest of drawers with a pivotally mounted top, the support panel itself having a pivotally mounted extension.

I United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,713,652

Rakestraw 1 1 Jan. 30, 1973 541 MOVABLE CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT 3,166,287 1/1965 Di Pasqua 297 274 x UNIT 1,589,432 6/1926 Sapp ..272 31 R x 38,028 3/1863 Brown ..297/274 X 1 lnvemo" Rakestraw, 3,454,272 7/1969 Elkington etal. ..272 1 A Lamar, Mo. 64759 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1970 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-R. T. Stouffer [211 Appl' 752177 Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson [52] U.S. Cl. ..272/1 R, 272/31 R, 297/232,

272/46, 297/217, 108/50, 46/15 l ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..A63g 31/00 581 Field 0fSearch.........272/l R, 1 A, 31 R, 48, 52; whch are-mumed 297 174 232 274 345 274 108 plurahty of devices whlch support a ch11d or doll,

I /1 4 wherein the devices are manipulated to move independently of each other and with motions which differ for R t n d each device. The unit also includes a small chest of l e ere ces drawers with a pivotally mounted top, the support UNITED STATES PATENTS panel itself having a pivotally mounted extension.

2,680,019 6/1954 Se Bastian ..272/52 X 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures MOVABLE CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT UNIT The instant invention generally relates to an entertainment unit, and is more particularly concerned with a unit which can be used either as a childs toy, accommodating dolls, small pets or the like, or as a baby care unit wherein small children or infants can be placed within the various components and entertained or lulled to sleep by the various motions.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a compact mobile unit which is in itself a complete entertainment center incorporating power driven components operative so as to afford a wide range of movements, including a rotational movement, a rocking movement, a bouncing movement and a vertical wheeltype movement.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide an entertainment unit or center which is simple, efficient and trouble-free in operation, enabling its use by young children who will use the device by placing their dolls, small pets, or the like on the various movable objects.

Another important object of the instant invention resides in the making of the device mobile for movement from one location to another as desired.

Also, as will be particularly appreciated by those with infants, the entertainment center of the instant invention can, as desired, endlessly rock, bounce, rotate or swing the infant, thereby soothing the child and freeing the mother for the performance of other tasks.

The objects of the instant invention are achieved basically through the provision of an elongated support platform positioned on the upper ends of castermounted legs. The platform mounts a revolving bed, a rocking bed or cradle, a bouncing seat positioned adjacent a chest of drawers which in turn has a pivoted top so as to overlie a portion of the seat and retain the child therein in the mannerof a high chair tray, and a ferris wheel type unit. The support platform is also provided with a pivotally mounted extension flap for use as desired. Each of the movable components or objects is power driven, normally utilizing its own individual small motor.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entertainment unit or center comprising the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the unit with the ferris wheel broken away;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 44 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate the entrainment unit or center comprising the instant in-. vention. This unit 10 includes an elongated rigid platform 12 mounted on at least four depending legs 14 rigidly affixed to the undersurface of the platform 12 and having caster-type wheels 16 on the lower ends thereof for a complete mobility for the unit 10.

A circular bed or cradle I8, including a flat bottom 20 and an upstanding retaining wall 22, is fixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 24 which is in turn rotatably mounted on the support platform 12 toward one end thereof. This shaft 24 is driven by a small electric motor 26 which is selectively energized from an appropriate control panel 28 mounted along the side of the platform 12.

Positioned adjacent the circular bed 18 on the platform 12 is a rectangular bed or cradle 30, also having a flat bottom 32 and an upstanding retaining wall 34. The bed 30 is elevated slightly above the platform 12 and pivotally mounted for rocking movement on an upstanding ear or pair of ears 36 fixed to the upper surface of the platform 12. The bed 30 will have a corresponding ear or pair of ears 38 fixed to the undersurface of the bottom 32 thereof for engagement with the platform ear or ears 36. The rocking movement of the bed or cradle 30 is effected by a small electric motor 40 which drives a crank or eccentric arm 42 pivotally engaged with an elongated arm or link 44, the outer end of which is pivoted to one end portion of the cradle or bed 30, normally through a depending ear or lug 46 thereon. Thus, as the motor turns the crank arm 42, a smooth up-and-down movement of one end of the eradle 30 is effected, with a corresponding rocking of the cradle about the centrally located pivotal support therefor.

A small chest of drawers or similar storage unit 48 is located toward the second endof the platform 12 adjacent the front edge thereof. Immediately rearward of the chest 48 is an elevated chair 50, incorporating retaining sides 52 and a back 54. The chair is fixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 56, the lower end portion of which is stabilized by appropriate platform mounted sleeve or collar means 58 for vertical reciprocation relative to the platform 12. This vertical reciprocation is effected by a crank arm 60 pivoted to the lower end of the shaft and eccentrically engaged with a motor driven wheel 62. The motor associated therewith is designated by reference numeral 64 and controlled from the control panel 28 in the same manner as motors 26 and 40. Thus, as the motor 64 is operated, a vertical bouncing orjiggling of the chair 50 is effected.

With reference to FIG. 4 in particular, it will be noted that the top 66 of the chest 48 is hinged along the rear thereof and selectively swingable so as to overlie the forward portion of the chair sides or arms 52, thereby acting so as to confine a child or doll therein, without affecting the up-and-down reciprocating movement of the chair. This rearwardly swung top 66 can also of course be used as a feeding or play table when the chair is not moving.

Located beyond the end of the platform 12 adjacent the chair and chest is a vertically oriented Ferris wheel type structure 68 which is mounted to the platform for rotation by an appropriate elongated shaft 70 extending from the wheel into supported underlying relation with the undersurface of the adjacent end portion of the platform 12. An appropriate electric motor 72 is also utilized so as to drive the shaft 70, either directly or through a gear unit. The wheel 68 will mount seats 74 somewhat in the manner of a conventional Ferris wheel so as to maintain the occupants upright throughout the full range of rotation. The Ferris wheel 68, as in fact will be the case with all of the motordriven components, will operate at a rate or speed selected so as to provide a safe and pleasing action with no violent movement or bouncing of the occupants. In addition, the legs 14 can be so oriented as to provide complete support for the loaded platform 12. Furthermore, as many legs 14 as necessary can be provided.

An elongated extension 76 is hinged along the front edge of the platform 12 for movement between a vertical depending position and a horizontal position. The extension 76 is maintained in the horizontal orientation by an elongated brace board 78 pivoted to the under surface of the extension 76 and selectively movable so as to, in the horizontal position of the extension 76, extend into underlying orientation with the platform 12, thereby precluding a downward folding of the extension 76 until the brace 78 is swung away from the platform 12. As will be appreciated, the extension 76 can be used to accommodate additional play or child care equipment.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique entertainment center or unit has been defined. This unit incorporates a variety of components directed toward the entertainment and amusement of either a child using the device in conjunction with dolls, pets and the like, or an infant cradled, rocked or bounced within the unit. Likewise, as an entertainment device, it will be appreciated that the unit can perform other related functions. For example, the unit can be used in display advertising as a means for attracting attention to various products.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a plurality of movable components on said platform, and means driving each component to effect a selective continuous movement thereof, the movement of each component being independent of the other components, the movement of each component being different from that of the other components, one of said components revolving horizontally about a vertical axis, a second of said components rocking about a horizontal axis, another of said components bouncing vertically, another of said components revolving vertically about a horizontal axis, the vertical bouncing positioned forward of the chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation to said chair.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said platform is elevated and mounted on rollers.

3. The unit of claim 2 including an extension pivotally mounted to said platform along one edge thereof for selective movement between a vertical depending position below said platform and a horizontal position'coplanar with said platform, and means for selectively maintaining said extension in said horizontal position.

4. The unit of claim 3 wherein the means for driving each component comprises an individual electric motor.

5. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a plurality of movable components on said platform, and means driving each component to effect a selective continuous movement thereof, the movement of each component being different from that of the other components, one of said components bouncing vertically, the vertical bouncing component comprising a chair, a tabletop component positioned forward of the chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation to said chair.

6. The unit of claim 5 wherein a second component comprises a cradle including a flat bottom and an upstanding peripheral retaining wall thereabout.

7. The unit of claim 5 including a storage chest mounted on said platform forward of said chair, said tabletop component being pivotally mounted on said chest for selective movement between partial overlying relation to said chair and overlying relation to said storage chest.

8. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a vertically bouncing component mounted on said platform, and drive means for effecting a selective continuous vertical bouncing movement of said component, said component comprising a chair, a tabletop component positioned forward of said chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation toisaid chair, and a storage chest mounted on said platform forward of said chair, said tabletop component being pivotally mounted on said chest for selective movement between partial overlying relation to said chair and overlying relation to said storage chest. 

1. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a plurality of movable components on said platform, and means driving each component to effect a selective continuous movement thereof, the movement of each component being independent of the other components, the movement of each component being different from that of the other components, one of said components revolving horizontally about a vertical axis, a second of said components rocking about a horizontal axis, another of said components bouncing vertically, another of said components revolving vertically about a horizontal axis, the vertical bouncing component comprising a chair, a tabletop component positioned forward of the chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation to said chair.
 1. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a plurality of movable components on said platform, and means driving each component to effect a selective continuous movement thereof, the movement of each component being independent of the other components, the movement of each component being different from that of the other components, one of said components revolving horizontally about a vertical axis, a second of said components rocking about a horizontal axis, another of said components bouncing vertically, another of said components revolving vertically about a horizontal axis, the vertical bouncing component comprising a chair, a tabletop component positioned forward of the chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation to said chair.
 2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said platform is elevated and mounted on rollers.
 3. The unit of claim 2 including an extension pivotally mounted to said platform along one edge thereof for selective movement between a vertical depending position below said platform and a horizontal position coplanar with said platform, and means for selectively maintaining said extension in said horizontal position.
 4. The unit of claim 3 wherein the means for driving each component comprises an individual electric motor.
 5. An entertainment unit comprising a support platform, a plurality of movable components on said platform, and means driving each component to effect a selective continuous movement thereof, the movement of each component being different from that of the other components, one of said components bouncing vertically, the vertical bouncing component comprising a chair, a tabletop component positioned forward of the chair and pivotally mounted for selective positioning in partial overlying relation to said chair.
 6. The unit of claim 5 wherein a second component comprises a cradle including a flat bottom and an upstanding peripheral retaining wall thereabout.
 7. The unit of claim 5 including a storage chest mounted on said platform forward of said chair, said tabletop component bEing pivotally mounted on said chest for selective movement between partial overlying relation to said chair and overlying relation to said storage chest. 